The northern part of Ghana is traditionally a male-dominated society. Low levels of female education lead to decreased economic potential of women. Women's health issues are also not addressed in the area.
"In 2019, after consultation with the chief of the area, I decided to address women's health, economic and social issues together," Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi, clinical assistant professor of radiology, said. "A women's clinic within the community was envisioned. One that would develop activities to help women to be able to generate revenue, enhance the social standing of women and promote the health of women."
Community leaders were on board after Appiah-Kubi met with them to discuss opening a women's clinic. Students in Ohio, Germany and Ghana led the project. The community executed the project with support from local artisans, including local builders, masons, carpenters, steel-benders and plumbers.
With support from the local regulatory agencies, the basic infrastructure was completed in December 2022 and additional modifications as per the local authorities completed in May 2023.
The clinic was developed as a self-sustaining structure with 100% energy dependence on solar energy, use of biogas toilet facilities and water from rain harvesting and underground aquifers. The biogas toilet facility is a particularly critical healthcare intervention to improve sanitation in the community.
Students from Ohio State played a crucial role in developing this project. Students majoring in arts taught women arts and crafts skills, including bead making, clothes making and painting, to improve the economic potential of the local women through the creative arts.
Medical students and house staff are finding creative ways to advance women's health, including efforts to introduce a breast mammography system to screen women for breast cancer. Engineering students have developed a telemedicine platform for women to access healthcare virtually from other remote areas. Students majoring in film are giving the project a voice by creating a short film to tell the story of this women's project. Law and economics students are working together to explore how local legislation can help make the clinic financially sustainable.
Local women have also been selected as leaders in the clinic to improve the social standing of women.